What do you find at a holiday networking event? Obvious answers are tinsel, hors d’ oeuvres, and refreshments. Well, what about confetti, glittery backdrops, fake Franklins, and light sabers?
Two Western Massachusetts young professionals organizations (Amherst and Northampton) held a joint holiday party at the lovely Lord Jeffery Inn. Rather than hosting a traditional gathering, our friends at Epic Filmmakers donated a “Slow Motion Experience” booth to create a truly memorable occasion. Ticket buyers were rewarded with their own personal segment complete with silly props and cinematic sizzle. More importantly, all proceeds benefited the local Boys and Girls Club.
Here’s how it went down:
Recording video at a networking event can be a tricky proposition. How did it come together?
Designated space is the most important element to successfully realizing a project of this nature. You need room for light stands, a backdrop, extension cords, the tripod, and an onboarding area to educate people about your offer. Thankfully, the Lord Jeffery Inn sectioned off a corner of an expansive ballroom. Here, David Long of Epic Filmmakers was able to setup his portable studio without interrupting the flow of the party.
Marketing collateral occupied clear sight-lines on both sides of the booth. If you were intrigued by the bright lights but had no idea what the hell was going on, you had the chance to learn more about the SME and the philanthropic message behind it. Remember, onboarding and education can build value for both the eager and the camera-shy.
Controlled lighting is crucial to achieving the slow motion aesthetic David envisioned. Here, he brought a glittery backdrop that naturally bounces light around the subject. Given your resources, the goals of your final product, and the space allocated to you, it may be necessary or impractical to haul around a bunch of stuff. Determine what’s essential and what’s secondary.
The least expensive items sometime add the most flair. Long-forgotten Halloween pieces and leftover toys were re-purposed for their kitschy, eye-catching splendor. They’re mini-icebreakers.
Every organization involved – ranging from the networking groups to the production company to the location host – now benefits from the video content created. Perhaps it’ll be used for new membership outreach or as part of Epic’s portfolio. Rather than coordinating a regular holiday event, both groups increased the value of experience/enjoyment of their constituencies with a greater offer. It’s a showcase of people, place, and purpose.
We wish you a happy holiday season and a rockin’ start to 2016!
